In a significant development for Africa’s oil and gas sector, Nigeria’s Folashade Adekeye has been appointed as the Chairperson of the Forum of the Directors of Oil & Gas Training & Vocational Education Institutes under the African Petroleum Producers Organization (APPO). Adekeye, who serves as the Director of NNPC Academy, succeeded Mr. Abdelkader Guenone, the Managing Director of the Algerian Petroleum Institute (API), during the Forum’s second meeting held in Abuja over the weekend.
With over 30 years of experience in the industry, Adekeye brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her new role. Her appointment is seen as a pivotal move towards enhancing the collaboration among APPO member countries to tackle pressing issues such as skill gaps, infrastructural challenges, and funding deficiencies in the organization’s training institutions.
In his keynote address at the opening ceremony, Mele Kyari, Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd., represented by Inuwa Danladi, Executive Vice President (Business Services), highlighted the critical need for a standardized educational and training framework. This approach, he noted, is essential to keep pace with the evolving demands of the oil and gas industry.
APPO’s Secretary General, Dr. Omar Farouk Ibrahim, also emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts among member countries. He urged them to work towards establishing Oil & Gas Centres of Excellence across Africa, which would play a crucial role in addressing the Forum’s challenges. Dr. Ibrahim pointed out that understanding these challenges is key to making strategic recommendations and providing effective solutions, particularly in areas like project funding, technology adoption, and the creation of the Africa Energy Bank.
Dr. Ibrahim concluded by stressing that enhanced collaboration among all member countries would ensure energy accessibility, affordability, and sustainability across Africa. This, in turn, would bolster the continent’s economies and bring prosperity to its citizens.
The appointment of Folashade Adekeye marks a new chapter for the Forum, promising a future of strengthened partnerships and progressive solutions in Africa’s oil and gas training sector.
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